Hands up anyone who thinks we will score another 390 runs to win tomorrow?
Me neither, but I would like to think that we can save the game.
Everything I have heard about the game suggests that the pitch is getting flatter as the game has gone on. To be brutally honest, if Wayne White can score a maiden century on it, surely it cannot be that tricky?
The crux to it all is the first hour. If we can get through the burst from Hoggard and Buck, saving this game should be a possibility. Claude Henderson will have to be watched, but on the evidence of today there's not that much in the track. My suggestions of a long batting order will stand or fall by six o'clock tomorrow, but as George Michael once said, you gotta have faith.
Something lacking in some quarters according to a story on IMWT tonight. I genuinely feel that there are some Derbyshire fans are happier when we do badly than they are when we win. The County Ground has long had its Grumblers Corner, but I don't understand the mentality of "fans" who spend the best part of the day moaning.
Over the years I've heard a lot of them. They moaned when Chris Wilkins played a cavalier shot too many, when Mike Hendrick bowled a bad ball once in every spell, when Bob Taylor dropped one ball a day or when an overseas player is dismissed.
It is ludicrous. I'm not going to comment on it again because I don't want to sound like a broken record, but surely - SURELY - if you are a fan, or supporter, you should do just that? These guys are OUR players doing their very best. At times they can be brilliant, at times they will fall short, but they are still OUR guys. I am sure that the moaners have bad days in their own working lives and fall short of perfection. I know I do.
I hope and think we can save the game tomorrow, but if we don't I'll come on here and express disappointment, yet still be a fan. After forty years you would think I'd be immune to disappointment, but no, losing still hurts. By the time the next game comes around I still think we will return to winning ways, though.
There was a fine long spell from Robin Peterson today who continues to show why John Morris signed him. In the age old tradition of cricket, Chris Rogers followed feast with famine but will doubtless be back, while we still have nine wickets left on a decent track to secure draw points.
I would agree with a contributor to yesterday's piece in being a little concerned at 69 extras in two innings, but that thing can happen without being anyone's fault in particular. If it happened on a regular basis I'd be concerned, but its nothing to lose sleep over at this stage.
Anyway, no Scarlett O'Hara quotes tonight. Tomorrow was another day and not an especially good one. Let's just make amends tomorrow, eh lads?
Well, so far so good (early afternoon). Madsen is finding some form and Bozza's hanging on in there. This might just be what the youngster needs.
ReplyDeleteA couple of sessions to go and around 300 adrift. A win looks a very slim possibility granted, but there is a realistic chance of finishing on a high with hard earned draw.
Perhaps this game has offered more insight into the team's strengths and weaknesses and where we need to focus upon improvement in order to challenge for CC2 honours.
MASTERVILLAIN